2014 Literary Art Magazine

MASCOMA VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCAOOL

2014 Literary Arts Magazine

Community Ties, Through the Eyes of a Pet, Cash for Dragons

Cash for Dragons 1st Prize Winner by Chloe Kahn with Poetry by Anthony Young

The Dragon KingBy Matt Rudder

First Prize, “Cash for Dragons”

Dragon Drawings by Rachael Piotte

Everyone loved the Dragon King especially the young boy named Robert the third. The Dragon

was green and scaly and had long teeth, tall, with blue eyes. They loved to laugh and play, but the

Dragon was getting old. The Dragon King was not able to run

fast anymore.

One day the boy came, but the Dragon was gone. The boy

looked everywhere and the boy finally went home and told his mom. His mom said, “he is not

gone, he is in your heart, he is in the wind, he is in the sun, he is in the sky. He is your shadow, he is

your hope, he is your joy.”

In memory of Robert Rudder

This year the Art Club has enjoyed many activities that included putting together this Liter-ary Arts Magazine. We enjoyed a trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts with lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. During our weekly Art Club meetings, we worked on community projects: we made orna-ments for the White House Christmas trees and we were recognized by the Governor for our effort to represent New Hampshire. We hung displays of art projects throughout the building and we made many individual art projects. January 24th we made Pizza Art and enjoyed participation by Art Club alumni. We sponsored three contests for entries for the magazine this year. The first contest prompt was

“Through the Eyes of a Pet” which enjoyed participation from students of all ages and from all four Mascoma Dis-trict schools. The second contest prompt was “Community Ties” which inspired numerous group projects and a few individual entries. Our annual “Cash for Dragons” had re-cord participation with many, many stories and some out-standing artworks. The public votes on the artwork final-ists during the Student Showcase Festival. It was decided that the written entries had to have their own set of prizes, as it was unlikely the stories would be able to be read and evaluated by people at the Festival. A special thanks is given to Mascoma English teacher Shannon Hurd, Indian River School teacher Diane DeWolfe, Art teachers, Cynthia Cummings, Christie Kee-ney, and Christopher Morse, for encouraging their class’ participation in the contests and art club activities. We’re looking forward to more entries next year.

Art Club 2013 - 2014

Our Experiencing the Arts program brought Mascoma students to be recognized by NH’s Governor Marga-ret Wood Hassan for creating ornaments for the White House Christmas trees. She gave each student a Citation stating: “Be it hereby known that I, Margaret Wood Has-san, Governor of the State of New Hampshire, join with my fellow citizens in extending my personal best wishes and sincerest congratulations to (each student’s name) in recognition of your generous creation of twenty-four ornaments to the White House that will be displayed on New Hampshire’s Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. By mixing several artistic disciplines,

your creative work captures the wondrous beauty and the charming essence of New Hampshire for visitors from across our nation to enjoy. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, I commend you for your artistic vision and your valued contribution to this beloved national tradition and wish you all the best in the future.”

Top left: Art Club at the MFA. Top right: drawing by Jessica Kel-ley Left: Jessica Kelley & Cailis Barsaleau making Pizza Art. Left bottom: meeting with the Governor. Above center: Christmas in Canaan. December 18th at Christmas in Canaan Mascoma School District shared the talents of Art students from all Mascoma Dis-trict schools and talents of Mascoma High School’s Music students.

CommunityBy Ben Hurley, Winner, “Community Ties”

People are happy,people are grumpy,

people work,people dabble,

people get married,people have best friends,

people on properties,people rent apartments,

people pay bills,people go into debt,

people have kids,people have dogs,

people love,people abuse,people learn,

people misunderstand,people moved to better land.

Photo of Mascoma Marching Band, by Andre Bakker with Graeme Bignell, Alex Brueckner, Briana Furman,

James Partridge, Sam Jones, Keegan Caraway Community TiesBy Shannon Hurd’s Sophomore English Class

The thick forests of New Hampshire offer us oppor-tunity; they give us a unique way of life. This should not be abandoned, but it should be preserved. The people must work together in order to further develop into a special so-ciety. There is another magic at work within these woods; there is community. A community, the foundation that holds citizens together as one. Even with all of the differences between them, they have link of kin driven and bound by common destiny. Destiny to live and to improve the living of the next generation to come. To settle down in this beautiful land that so many call home. We are not merely an arrangement of towns jointed by forests and invisible border lines. But a society that is filled with compassion even in the worst of hardships. We are not marked by shame, but by a link of morals and val-ues that may differ and be amended. These morals bind us together and give us the power to distinguish right from wrong; they make us who we are and challenge what we are not without hesitation. We stand, metaphorically, with hands linked and heads held high knowing we all have the potential to do amazing things. Our names may never skim the page in a textbook that future generations will read, but we still change history with every step we take. We are five towns with one mission that never stops, Now that’s a community!

Note: This is text from a video produced by Shannon Hurd’s English Class. See it on Facebook at Mascoma Proud: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=631331016935694&set=vb.465273663541431&type=2&theater

The Dragon WithinBy Chandra Delano, Indian River School

Winner 4th Prize, “Cash for Dragons” Have you ever thought you could be in the face of a Dragon? In the face of fear? Well, that’s me. Stupid me. All be-cause of a dare. My palms are sweaty. My face is burning. My knees are about to buckle. I can’t run anymore. Not yet. In the mirror of my eye you would see a dragon with ragged scales the color of fire with yellow snake eyes, well placed. Afraid, not knowing, without control, I lift my helpless hand up slowly to the fearsome beast. It smells the front of my hand so it knows I’m not going to harm it. While I’m thinking to myself it’s the other way around. It closes its eyes and nods. In one split second all the fear of the Dragon disappears into the thick air. I was finally safe. Safe of the dragon. The dragon within.

All the Effort I GaveBy Dakota Lyon

Winner 3rd Prize, “Cash for Dragons” Saorla always woke up with that warm tingle in her body. Her room always smelt like her, her dinner from the night before, and her musty blanket. The sun’s rays peaked through her window forcing her to squint her big, green eyes. As she crawled out of bed, she heard a commo-tion down the hall. Saorla hurried toward the noise, smelling a strange tang in the air. Her mom nearly trampled her on the way there. “Oh sor-ry!” squealed her mom who was getting further away. Lured closer and closer to the smell, Saorla was leaving the safest place she knew. Salora felt tension in her chest. She began to tear up and the safety of her room was the only thing she craved. As the green of the world surrounded her, her nervousness easily made it’s way into her heart. Saorla wasn’t yet good at, and maybe never would be good at, staying calm. She had been here so many times. She took the same course as many before her. She peaked into a large dip in the green and her eyes followed the trickle of water that fell from high above her. The granite rocks bundled into one corner glimmered. Another familiar sight came within her view. A beast of miniature proportion but none the least ter-rifying. It’s long silk coat lay motionless against the rock. It’s large tail wagged ever so slightly, taunting Saorla’s eyes. “It’s fangs are away and it’s claws can’t bother me.” thought Saor-la. She backed away from the beast and the soothing sound and warm steam coming from the falls. She tip-toed until she had enough space for good reaction time to fight whatever might come her way. Spider webs clung to everything. Spiders were sort of interesting. It didn’t seem fair that they had so many more legs than she did. Imagine what she could do if she could suddenly walk on walls and build a house wherever she went. Spiders were not her focus right now. If she saw one, she’d kill it to get to her goal. She was on a mission and nothing, no matter how majes-tic, was going to stand in her way. Saorla swiftly approached her greatest nightmare. The blueness above her was cloudless. The sun’s angle still beamed in her face. The opening of the cave has given her more cuts than she knows. Why would she let that stop her; maybe it should have. She lost her footing! She screamed...at least she thought she had. No one came for help, for back up. No one had heard because the scream was inside. Very easily, emotion crept in but what was already inside could never find it’s way out. She stood back up and wiped the dirt from her face. As soon as she stood, leaves filled her face. Pushing them away, she almost uprooted the tree. Were all of those obstacles trying to tell her something? Maybe they were a warning sign to not go farther,

but she wouldn’t take notice either way. She wasn’t all that smart. Having to figure out what was to come would happen soon enough. Her mom came rushing toward her. Saorla’s act of cour-age as she was only but feet from the dragon was brought to an abrupt halt. She was never allowed any fun, or what she thought would be fun. Danger seems to always attract people, doesn’t it? Her dream was to touch the DRAGON. Why was it such a bad thing? She didn’t want to defeat it like her older brother, just a pat, a quick stroke of the scales. She always dreamt of it’s smooth surface and the warmth that would drift from it’s nostrils as it slept. Okay...maybe it was a lie. She couldn’t just touch it’s scales. She wanted the gems the dragon guarded. Her mother was fed up with Saorla going to the cave. It was “much much too danger-ous. You could burn yourself or worse!” Her mother always said that. Saorla’s head pounded with frustration. Saola’s mom lifted her! “NO!” Saorla fought back and knew it was no use. Of course, her mom had weight and experience advantage. “I never thought a three year old could be so much trouble” Her mom “humphed” trying not to sound angry. “Ex-cuse me, Butter’s,” the beast hissed and sprinted into the cave with Saorla’s mother. Saorla pouted as her mom sat her back in her crib and approached the cave through all the trees and sky. Her mom put on a shield and went toward the dragon. It un-clenched it’s jaw and fire poured from it’s mouth. Saorla smiled while her mom took the yummy gems so effortlessly from the Saorla’s “dragon.” “Who wants brownies?”

Elementary Art teacher Christie Keeney made the effort to represent all her Canaan and Enfield students at the Student Showcase Festival.

3 Horned DragonBy David Cay

Winner 3rd Prize, “Cash for Dragons”

MaxBy Justin Brewster, IRS

Honorable Mention“Through the Eyes of a Pet” They think I’m lazy… Sort of... Not really! My owners give me a lot of food. I am a big fat white bunny, with red albino bunny eyes. Everyday, I get my exercise. I sit outside hooked by a leash to a rod stuck in the ground so I can’t escape. Really, why would I want to? I have it all. Sometimes my owner lets me off the leash so I can run around the yard. I go really, really fast. I am a fast bunny! When I am outside on the leash my red squirrel friends come to visit me. They run up and down the tree eating peanuts and nuts that my owner leaves out for them. In the house, I have a Bunny’s cage with a big water bottles to suck on. In my bowl, I have bunny pellets so I can munch. They taste really good. My flooring is newspaper and they are changed every day. When my owner sleeps in late, I wreck my cage to get the owner’s attention. I tear up the newspapers with my big bunny teeth. My owner gets up to let me outside. I know they get mad, so that is why I do it. I love it outside. When it rains, I can’t go out. I get sort of mad. I have to stay in my cage all day. The boy in my house plays videogames and doesn’t pay attention to me. But in the morning he does, when he comes downstairs. The man of the house sleeps downstairs with me so I feel protected. When I think there is an intruder in the house I stomped my feet to tell my owner someone is there.

Giraffe SculptureBy Amy Labrecque

Best in Sculpture, AVA GalleryBest of the Upper Valley Show

Dr. WhoTop, By Amy Labrecque

My SisterLeft, By Julie Martin

Times Like These By Ben Jones, Grade 10

Winner, 1st Prize, “Through the Eyes of a Pet”

Cool drops of rain tiptoe across branches and leaves, falling with musical rhythm. No matter how many times it is happened, the morning rain is always fascinating. Stretching my paws, I roll off a green canvas bed to gaze up at the sky. birds soar. Fog creeps away. Like stars that are displaced, young leaves drift down from the heavens and I let out a sigh. I am that drifting leaf in a way. It’s times like these that remind me how very glad I feel to be a migrant cat. To see the world act youthful and solemn over and over is a feeling I’d do not want to lose. A single leaf touches my whiskers. Don’t worry Earth. I will get up. Stumbling over to the Riverside, I wash my face with brisk water. My paws move over to a scar that has kept its mark on my jaw for around two years. Ever since the incident, it is impossible to look at humans the same. Ever since the incident I have never stolen food from alleys or bothered households. The woods wife is the life for me. Leaning over a rushing creek, it’s times like these that remind me how safe I am to be a migrant cat. Getting hungry, I wake the others. I start to fill my bag with supplies. five cats has always been the ideal group. Scrap, Tail, Misty, Greece, and me, Bird, have traveled together for almost nine months. In no time, we have made it halfway to the next settlement. Have a great bodes helps me think to myself that it’s times like these that remind me how lucky I feel to be a migrant cat.

Flowers are blooming.Green grass and leaves are growing.

Birds are singing.Robins are digging for worms.

People are planting seeds.Peepers are peeping.Eggs are hatching.

Baby animals are born.Warm, t-shirt days.Mud, mud, mud!

It’s beautiful.Spring!

SpringBy Mrs Kulig’s Kindergarten Class

The RescueBy Mason Sweet

Honorable Mention,“Through the Eyes of a Pet”

Art top: Bass, by, Damian Jenkins, Bottom: Taya Sevene, Enfield Village School

Top, Drawing byBen Poitras Canaan ElementaryLeft, Drawing by Winny Cheng, Grade 10

My Human Loves MeBy Rhiannon Marie Stone,Canaan Elementary School

Honorable Mention, “Through the Eyes of a Pet”There once was an owner who was very nice and she gave me a bone every night. Then one night, she did not. She was going to Florida for the night. And then she came back! Then she gave me a bone again, every night. It was fun living there every night. She plays fetch with me. I call her chatterbox because she talks to me in a high-pitched voice. She walks me so much that she makes my knees wobble. When she eats beans I do not, and I mean do not, want to sleep with her that night!

Sitting in the truck,waiting to see what’s next.

Getting carried out to see us,Us holding her in our arms,

She’s looking at us scared, whimpering,We finally get home and she is okay,

Looking at our yard and house happily,Her bright blue eyes as blue as the sea,

We love our Bella-Boo,Thank God we got a rescue!

Thank God I got rescued.I love the humans who rescued me.

I look at the yard and woods all excited.When they lie on the ground,I attack them with my kisses.

I’m such a happy dog.Now throw me a log!

January 25th “The French Club, put on a wonderful event in Enfield. Each and every student worked tire-lessly from selling tickets to helping cook (pictured with Madame Beaufays husband and Chef, Peco) to serving and cleaning up! We can be so proud of our Mascoma students—they do rise to the occasion!”

Packed up and ready, we leave in the early hours of the day. Finding ourselves in a hungry mood we locate a spot of importance. An open meadow innocently awaits our arrival. Grasses flicker in the wind. The sun heats the air. Ground life scurries around a labyrinth of mystery. Hunger is unavoidable. I leap. Flying starts the day well. For its times like these that make me feel that everyone should be reminded that the earth is energetic and begs us to join in and play. We are all that drifting leaf in a way. We are all those displays stars floating down to the ground. Wake up.

DragonBy Graemme Lambert2nd Prize in writing,“Cash for Dragons”

It is large,Scaly, and mean,

It breaths Scalding heat

From its throatWhen provoked,

It holds many Precious gems Within its lair

That it loves to roll in,And admire itselfIn the reflection

Of the precious materialsMany men have

Have gone to this lairAnd never returned.The beast slumbers

All day,But when awakened

It is a most fearsome sight. The beast has long nailsFor the tearing of flesh,

And large teeth For the crushing of bones.It will beat you with its tail

If disrespected,And roar in your face

When disturbed.It is a most ferocious creature

And it is my mother.

Pencil Drawing by Winny Cheng

Riding RoseitaBy Dirk Andrew, IRSHonorable Mention

“Through the Eyes of a Pet” Get off of me you over weight person! I am not going away from the trailer. OUCH! I will go if you whip me. I saw the little boy walking through the gate. He had dark brown hair, blue jeans and a green striped short sleeve shirt. He didn’t have his regular muck boots on; he had on short brown paddock boots and he had a halter behind his back. I ran for the woods, but I smelled molasses flavored grain. I wanted grain. It smelled so good I couldn’t resist, so I turned, and went to the boy for grain. He pulled the halter over my head just as I was reaching for the grain. Soon I was walked to the barn and tied up. I should have known better. The old brown Western saddle with a silver metal horn and brass beads plopped onto my back. The brown leather bridle with a silver bit went over my head. The cold metal bit tasted like old dust. The boy tightened up the girth so tight it was hard to breathe. He took the halter off my head and jumped on my back. He jerked the reins left and right and dug his spurs into my side, I went faster and faster around the field again and again at a full gallop. I got tired and slow down to a walk and I was panting like a dog. The boy got off and I walked into the barn. The girth was loosened finally and I could breathe. The saddle and bridle came off. The metal bit came out of my mouth and I couldn’t taste the dusty old bit anymore. The boy put my muzzle on and I went back out to eat grass with the other horses.

The End.

Art Club enjoyed lunch at The Cheesecake Factoryon their trip to the Boston Museum of Art, June 7th.

Drawing below by Caelis Barsaleau

Left: Senior Art Award Winner, Paige Doody with her draw-ing at AVA Gal-lery’s “Best of the Upper Val-ley” 2/28/14.

Above: “Pet’s Paradise” by Rene French Grade 6

RestBy Matthew Howe, Grade 10

Winner, 2nd Prize, “Through the Eyes of a Pet”

25th of DecemberWhen we 1st met

Of course I rememberHow could I forget?

Left in the ditchTrapped in the netYou saved my lifeForever in debt

Hung limp in your armsTo a place called “vet”

You were not readyTo let me go yet

You carried me hereCold and worried

Your wife was in tearsI … soon to be buried

Soon I could hearLack of Christmas cheer

My mind full of tearsDeath was near

Mint green creaturesHorde where I lie

Can’t fight them offI’m ready to die

New pools of crimsonLeave my chest

This table my bedForever I rest.

The RaceBy Mariah Lewellyn, Winner, 3rd Prize,

“Through the Eyes of a Pet” We need to get out of here and fast! I kicked and pawed at the stall door. We hadn’t eaten in a week and we had not seen daylight either. We were thirsty. Very thirsty. When we had been outside we had been able to drink from a stream. Oh how I long for that stream! My owner... I hadn’t seen him in a week. We all think he’s well, dead. There is home, I think 22 of us. We all race. We all long to be outside. Ron. We all want to run, but we can’t. All of us do the same thing, wait. That’s what we do all day long we wait. Wait for someone to love us, to feed us, and to give us a home. A good home. A forever home. But no one knows were here. They probably think that we have a new home. But they don’t come and look. To see if were here. So we just wait and wait. Until they come… What’s that noise? It sounds like yes! It’s a truck. We are finally saved! Finally! A forever home. But what if they don’t let us run? What if they’re mean and equip us till we bleed? I want a good home. A great home. I want to live forever. I am only 3 and I want to run and be free. When I was younger my mother would tell me about black beauty and how he had a terrible life, but then he had a happy life for the rest of his days. I have to trust people. Trust. I don’t know if I have that anymore. I hope, wait, and tried to trust my instincts. It took a few minutes for the people to get ready. When they open the barn door it was like a fire was blazing outside. It took a 2nd for my eyes to adjust to the light. Then one of the people yelled “the courses in here! The neighbors were right!” Then the full started to Winnie. “Sorry.” The person said in a quiet voice. Then they came to the back of the barn with halters and lead ropes. They tried some knots in the halters that would need to be untied again and again. I was in the middle of the barn and my mother was

in front. I couldn’t wait to see her. It was finally my turn to leave. It took a little time, but they finally got it tied. And they led me out. It felt so good to walk again! But when we passed my mom’s stall I stopped and looked in and what I saw scared me. She was as skinny as a stick and she was limping badly. Did I look like that I wondered? And another question popped into my mind. Were we all of us horses going to die? I want to live in a good home and most importantly I wanted to run. I wanted to be let out in the paddock and I wanted to run and jump and gallop around… I woke up. I hated that dream. I always had that dream before a big race. My mom told it to me. That was when she was 3 and had a bad fall in one of her races, and that fall ended her career of racing. When she was turned out to breed. And when she had me, I almost died. I am her only girl. But they live somewhere else. Today is the day of my biggest race that I’ve ever been in. It’s the Kentucky Derby. My owners are the best people ever. They don’t use a web and they give me plenty of food and water. There mark forever home. I’m the only female on the track. I’m scared and excited at the same time. But I have to stay calm so I don’t break into a sweat. “How are you girl?” My jockey asked. I pawed the floor with my hooves. I was ready. They brushed me in till my coat shined. I would give it my best. I would do it for my mom. She never got to go race in the Kentucky Derby. But she wanted to. I had to win - for her. My jockey mounted. It was time. I was ready. All of the horses were in the starting gate. 5,4,3,2,1. The gates flew open. I was going strong. I was in 3rd. Horses were next to me. But the lead horse was fast - very fast. But even when all of us were going around the bend, I could tell he was getting tired I passed the second-place horse and then the force play source. I was winning. I passed the wire to length ahead of everybody else. I did it! I did it for my mom!

Honorable Mentions “Through the Eyes of a Pet”Drawing above by Amelia Wilson, IRS Grade 6Rooster painting by Jaida Michetti, IRS Grade 6

It was the worst thing that ever happened to me. Why do things tear families apart? Well, that is what happened to me. Hurricane Irene told me apart from my owner and away from each other. Now I don’t know where he is. I don’t think he knows where I am either. I have been looking for him for a while and I’m hoping she is looking for me so we can meet in the middle. I am heading for where I think you could be, his sister’s house. He always goes there if he needs help. I’m almost there, just a few more blocks. “Charlie? Is that you?” Asked Tory my owner’s sister. I went to her. “I’m so happy to see you!” She said. “Here, come in. Do need something to eat? Do need something to drink?” Tory asked. I wonder why she is so glad to see me? She has never been this glad. It might be because I came here all by myself. That day went by really fast, it felt like it was only me and Tory in the world. I haven’t felt like that for a while. I always felt like that with my owner. We were inventories bed when she told me something I will never forget. She told me my owner had been injured from the hurricane. She told me that he had died. I was sad for a very long time. Then Troy came to me and said, “I can understand if you want a new owner who will love you as much as he did, but I would love it if you were my dog.” I know my owner is still looking out for me, and I will forever remember him, but he would want me to have a good life here.

My StoryBy Audrey May, Winner, 4th Prize, IRS

“Through the Eyes of a Pet”

Honorable Mention“Through the Eyes of a Pet”Drawing by Jessica Gravel,

IRS Grade 6

        Flames. Screams and tears fill the air. “Quick. Hurry. This way, your Majesty.” She runs forward holding it tightly in her arms. Roar. Crash. The man no longer stands leading her to safety.   He is nowhere to be seen. She falls to her knees, trembling in fear. She calls for help but there was no answer; there was no one left to help her. In front of her stands a Monster. A big, red, fire breathing Monster with scales colored like the flames, a Fire Dragon. It comes toward her. She turns away; shutting her eyes, and prays. She prays for life of the little thing in her arms. Slash. A huge cut her on her back. Blood everywhere; she is no longer breathing. Getting ready to take flight, the dragon turns around to face the night sky. What was that noise? It turns back around, quickly looking at the dead woman lying there. The dragon takes a closer look. It’s a baby! It is a human child. It takes a deep breath, filling its mouth in flames. The baby stops crying. The baby looks at the dragon standing before it. Then it smiles and with its tiny arms, it reaches out for the dragon. Gulp. The dragon swallows in its own flames in surprise. Unable to take the life of the child, it spread its wings and flew into the darkness leaving the palace burning in its flames.        Yawn! It’s morning. Sigh, today is the last day I will be here. I will be living in town starting tomorrow. Mother said it was important to learn and communicate with humans, since I’m also a human. She said it would be better for me to live among my people than stay in the mountains. I’ve also got my own reasons. By the way, my mother is a dragon. But, she is not just your average dragon; she is one of the rare kinds within the whole dragon population, which is not many. She said that I was abandoned by my parents. She found me in the forest 14 years ago and took me in because I remind her of her son who had passed away. I’ve always lived in the mountains so it’s going to be new and different living in town. I’ve learned many thing from my mother, which should help me live in the world of humans. Dragons are intelligent, I tell you. I’ve never won against her.        I get up and walk out of my cave. The sun is bright. I close my eyes for a few minutes remembering the earliest memories I can recall. I stand there admiring the green and blue scenery for one last time. I most likely won’t be coming back for a long time. After standing here for a few more minutes to let myself relax, I went for my mother’s cave.

“Mom, are you there?” Man, its dark and cold in here. It’s a lot darker than my cave. I took another step. Bump. Ouch! What was

that? Then I saw flames. The cave brightens up. “Sorry, mom, I didn’t see you there.”

“No, it’s alright,” she smiled. She looks tired and old. I wonder if she will be alright. She doesn’t look to well. “Are you mentally prepared? Do you have everything you need? Remember, the red berries are poisonous and if you get hurt…”

“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I’ll be fine. Plus I have this pendant with me.” I look at the pendent. It was gold with a diamond shape. On it was a ribbon below that curves around a lily with small letters that said the name “Sharon Baskerville.” It’s the name of the woman who threw me away. I don’t hate, her but I don’t like her either. I just want to know my about my past and find a reason for my birth. “Thank you, Mom. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. I just wanted to say that before I leave.” I turn around and walk away. For a moment, I see a sad look on her face. It is one that looked more like regret than one from the sadness of separating with a family. I wonder why.

It has been a few months since I came to town. I was able to find a place to stay and work. It is an old restaurant in the eastern area of the town. I collapse on the second day in town. I was hungry without money or food. When I woke up, I found myself in an unknown room. The man who brought me here saved me. He gave me food and a place to live and in exchange I work for him. His name is Gilbert. He is a really nice guy. He is a tall man with an expressionless face. People judge him by that all the time and say he is an emotionless man but I know he’s not. He’s scar on his arm doesn’t make this any better.

There has been a rumor going around town lately. A group of people had gathered to find “The Prince.” He was rumored to be alive somewhere. Many say he’s dead and that he died along with his parents, but there are some who believe he is still alive due to one fact. The fact is that no one found the Prince’s body. The group gathers in this restaurant from time to time to have their meeting. It’s like their secret hideout since Gilbert is part of this group.

“Thank you, have a good night.” Thank god, they are gone. It is way past closing time. After cleaning up I went back up to my room. Staring out the window, I thought of how mom’s doing. I hope her health doesn’t fall. She is getting old. Then I took out the pendent. I made my choice to live in this town. I wanted to found a reason for living. I just can’t sit around, play, and live a carefree live in the mountains all the time. I felt as if there was something I needed to do, that there was something out there only I can do. It was this pendent that made me felt this way. Why is that? I want to know and that’s why the first thing to do is find the original owner, Sharon Baskerville.

Knock knock. “Come on in,” It was Gilbert. “You need anything?” It was rare for him to come in.

“Nothing, I am just coming to check if you were okay. You didn’t look to well today,” Gilbert stated.

“No, I’m fine. Just a little tired.” Maybe I should ask him about this necklace. “I have something to ask you. Do you know anyone named Sharon Baskerville or anything about this pendent?” He comes over and takes a good look at the pendent.

“Where did you get this pendant?” The sudden raise of his voice startled me.

“From my mom, my real mom. She abandoned me in the forest 14 years ago. I don’t hate her but I don’t like her either. I just want to know what kind of person she is.”

“Let me see your left foot.” He had a very serious look on his face.

“Sure,” I couldn’t refuse. “Why?” I take my left shoe off. He closely examines my birthmark. “It’s my birthmark. Is there something wrong?” I ask. He doesn’t respond. Then he gets up and pulls a chair

over to sit. I take that time to put my shoes back on.“I’ll answer your first question. Yes, I do know of Mrs. Sharon

Baskerville and that pendant you have. I will start from the very beginning.”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty. The Queen…the Queen gave birth to a baby boy,” one of the maid said excitedly as she flung the door open. The whole Kingdom celebrated this day with them, the day a first prince was born in this kingdom. Everyone had a feast and drank. That night, when the kingdom was silent, all the guards were sleeping after stuffing their faces, a disaster occurred. A group of dragons came toward the Royal Palace. They attacked and killed many of people. The Queen was woken up by a heat that surrounded her. Flames. The whole castle was set on fire by one of the dragons. One of the servants came to take her and her son to the escape route. He would, from time to time, go on ahead to make sure it was safe. Then a red dragon broke through the castle wall where to servant had stood. Rocks flew everywhere and the servant was nowhere to be seen. The Queen looked at the dragon and realized, that color and that flame like tail, she must had been the mother of the baby dragon that her guard has killed a few days before. The Queen held the little prince tighter in her arms.

“This must have been the punishment for killing an innocent life,” she said to herself. “Dear God, my son, he hasn’t done anything wrong. I don’t care what happens to me. Please protect him, let him live on,” she prayed. “I…” Before she could finish, the dragon killed her. When the dragon spotted the prince, she was going to kill him as they killed her son, but she couldn’t do it. She saw her son’s shadow in him. She couldn’t leave him here either so she took him back to her nest. That night, many had died and some were wounded. Many survivors had lost an arm, leg, eyes, or lost their mines. The King didn’t survive and the kingdom was in chaos after the attack that left it with no leader. One insidious young man took this opportunity to take power and became the next King.

“I was there. I was that servant. I couldn’t protect the Queen even though she was right in front of me. When I came to my senses, she was already dead and the prince was nowhere to be found. I was under a pile of cement and that’s what saved me.” I sit there listening to his story but why is he telling me this? How does this have any connection with me? “I was mad, furious. I wanted to kill that dragon and even now I do. But, what ticked me off the most were my uselessness and the fact that I left the Queen to die. So I decided. No matter how little the chance was, I was going to find the prince as long as his death wasn’t 100% certain. The Queen’s name was Sharon Baskerville.” He points at me, “And her son is you. Your name is Kai Baskerville, the Prince of this kingdom. This time, for sure, I will protect you no matter what happens.”

“What? No, no, no, a Prince? I mean look at me. There is just no way. This is not funny.”

“This is no joke,” Gilbert shouts. “Do you know how long I had waited for this day. Now that you’re here, we need to find a way to get back your throne. The citizens of this kingdom are suffering under the current king.”

“I mean me. Why me? How can you be so sure?” What is going on here? What is with him? He is different from the Gilbert I know.

“There is no doubt about it. That birthmark you have is the proof that you are Kai Baskerville. I’ll give you some time to think about this and I’ll help you until the very end. Please get some rest.” He leaves the room. I didn’t understand what is going on but all I know is that it will all make sense if I go see mom.

The next morning I go out early through the back door.

Everything will connect once I get all the missing pieces together. Then, I will think about what to do next. It is night when I reach mom’s cave. I stand in front of her cave. I can hear my heart pounding. I can’t tell if it was from hiking up here or from my fear. I’m scared. I can’t go in. The last piece of the puzzle is in there. But I’m scared of what she will tell me, I am too scared of the truth. Did she really kill my parents? Why did she raise me? It’s scary but I need to move forward or else nothing is going to happen. I take a step, my legs still trembling a little. I take another step, they are sturdier now. I get farther and farther in until I see my mother. She sits there like she was waiting for me.

“I had a hunch you are going to come,” her voice becomes a lot softer.

“Then you must know why I came,” I said.“Yes, I’ll tell you my side of the story.”“My only son was killed. He wasn’t even two yet.” Tears started

streaming down her face. “All I knew was that someone from the royal family killed him. It wasn’t only him. Tammy, Barbra, and Jade were all killed. They were my closes friends. I was filled with rage and anger. Along with 4 other friends, we attacked the royal palace on the day the prince was born. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. That was the day I brought you home.” I try to stay calm. “There was a woman I killed. She was holding on tightly to her baby. She wore that necklace.” She pointed at my necklace. “After I saw you, all my anger subsided. I felt regret and I asked myself, what am I doing? Aren’t I just doing the same thing as the ones who killed my son? No matter how many humans I kill, it won’t bring my son back. I had no choice. I couldn’t leave you alone so I took you home. After raising you, I learned that nothing good comes from hatred. Nothing good comes from killing. I was able to forgive humans. I’m not asking for your forgiveness but…”

“Prince Kai, you must stay back! Get away, hurry!” Gilbert! How did he...Did he follow me all the way here? He comes running with a...Sword!

“No, stop you can’t,” I shout. I stand in front of him with my arms out.

“Flames. She is the one that killed your mother. Why are you covering for her?

“It’s alright; I don’t have much time left. I have lived for too many years,” she said with a softer voice than before.

“That is impossible. She is my mother. The only one mother I have and will have. It doesn’t matter what she is or who she is. She was the one who raised me. That’s the truth. She is the one who taught me to how to read and write. I love her. That’s why if you hurt her, I won’t forgive you!” Tears streaming down my face and I look at Gilbert. He hesitates still not letting the sword go. “I will disappear from your sight if you don’t put the sword down,” then he finally put the sword down. He turns away and walks out.

“I’ll be waiting for you outside,” he said. “But, I will never forgive her and I will never forget. I’ll let her go since it looks like she doesn’t have much time.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you.”        Mom passed away that morning ten years ago. Not another dragon was sighted after that. I wonder if all the dragons have gone extinct. It was hard work during these ten years. With the help of Gilbert, his comrades, and the people of this kingdom, I was able to take back my crown. Overthrowing the current king wasn’t as hard as I thought but there was much to learn after that. There were a lot of lessons that took up my whole day. There’s Literature, Math, Science, Economics, Fencing, Dance, and many more. Also I had to rebuild the economy of this Kingdom since the last king corrupted it so much. But, I wasn’t alone. Now, I have thousands of people on my side. I found my purpose in life and the reason for my existence.

A Mother’s Flames Art and Story By Winny Cheng, Grade 10

Winner, 4th Prize, Cash for Dragons

Experiencing the Arts Experiencing the Arts is a grant-funded program supported by grants from the Byrne Foundation and other sources. Experiencing the Arts has had a very exciting year de-veloping community partnerships. We had a very successful Student Showcase Festival on May 17th. rep-resenting 1400 student works from all Mascoma District schools. Special recognition for Art Teacher Chris-tie Keeney for her effort to represent works by every student from Enfield Village School and Canaan Elemen-tary School! Also, once again, the Egyptian Museum by the Indian River School students was a must see. This year, Canaan Elementary School students made a huge aquarium (30 feet long and 6 feet deep), filled with giant sea creatures! Beautiful stu-dent made quilts filled the hallways. We strive to represent work from all departments... There were so many, many outstanding displays! Come next year, May 16th, 2015! Check out postings on Facebook at Mascoma Proud. Experiencing the Arts is effective at coordinating dozens of faculty requests into projects that enrich the community. Each spring a Wish List goes out to the faculty at the high school enabling the teachers to choose programs for field trips and cultural events. Experiencing the Arts also responds to faculty requests for artists in residences, as well as providing materials required for special school projects. In 2013-2014, Experiencing the Arts supported eight faculty requested field trips including a trip with the entire junior class for interactive tours at Walden Pond in Concord, MA, and at The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, MA. We sponsored two all-school assemblies for Mascoma High School and Indian River School of Lebanon Ballet performing movements from the ballet “Clara’s Dream.” In addition, Experiencing the Arts supports dozens of initiatives such as the literary art magazine, writing prompts, and Art Club activities. Mascoma School District has developed numerous events to strengthen connections in our community. Mascoma High School’s Portfolio student, Josie Howlett, took an interest in community art projects. She created a design and made a

formal proposal to a committee in Enfield winning the opportu-nity to create a mural for Huse Park. She worked hard to finish the mural in time to have it unveiled at the Student Showcase. Josie Howlett’s “Family Mural” (pictured left), is now mounted on the family pavilion at Huse Park. A week-long hands on resi-dency with Mrs. Alverez’ Anatomy class involved many levels of our community culminating in a training event that exposed students to careers in emergency services, the police and fire de-partment, and the Mary Hitchcock Hospital. Mascoma parent Ted Makalinaw and Medical Technician Sasha Edwards teamed up with the Anatomy students for the residency. After a success-ful ceramic residency, guest artist Ara Cardew participated in the first Alumni Ceramic All Stars event (pictured above) with par-ticipation by Mascoma alumni from 2004 to 2013.

Experiencing the Arts plans on supporting faculty requested residencies in 2014/15 for the Mascoma Alternative Pro-gram and for Mr. Shinnlinger’s Industrial Arts classes, plus a ceramic residency for the Art classes (perhaps Ara will be willing to have another Alumni Ceramic All Stars night). Experiencing the Arts is working with Dartmouth to bring their project “Play On” (Shakespeare set to music program) to Mascoma for a possible all-school assembly October 30th. In addition, Experienc-ing the Arts will continue to support programming at the school and to support the Hands on Week and faculty requests. We hope to continue to build on ideas initiated by community members that strengthen our community ties. Experiencing the Arts will continue to sponsor alumni involvement and support participation in events such as Christmas in Canaan representing all Mascoma District schools. Christopher Morse, Director, Experiencing the Arts

A successful Alumni Ceramic All Star event 12/14! Alumni attended from 2004 to 2013, with: Ara Cardew, Christopher Morse, Kendra Morse, Svenice Eliah Barrile, Alyss Hiltunen, Nick Colaiacomo, Lara Fetto, Sandra Perez, Abbey Bailey, Courtney Duquette, Katrina Allyson Bill, Bailey Ray, Caitlin Rodgers,

Michael Stearns, Garrett Wilkenson, Seth Marrotte, Kayleigh Coutermarsh.

Cash for Dragons 2nd PrizeWinner by Rachael Piotte